Automatic vending machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic vending machine ( 1 ) is provided with a vending machine main unit ( 10 ), with a play device ( 20 ) including a stuffed toy ( 21 ) on which a user can ride and a drive mechanism ( 24 ) for driving the stuffed toy ( 21 ), and with a control device that controls the vending machine main unit ( 10 ) and the drive mechanism ( 24 ) in the play device ( 20 ). The vending machine main unit ( 10 ) and the play device ( 20 ) are interconnected via the control device. The vending machine main unit ( 10 ) includes a product dispensing mechanism (( 14   a  ( 14 )), and payment accepting mechanisms (( 13   a ), ( 13   b ) ( 13 )) for accepting payment for the item, wherein the control device activates the product dispensing mechanism (( 14   a  ( 14 )) so as to deliver the item to the outside, as well as activates the drive mechanism ( 24 ) in the play device ( 20 ).

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/815,655,filed on Aug. 7, 2007 which is a national stage application under 35U.SC. 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2006/302025 filed onFeb. 7, 2006 which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-032489, filed on Feb. 9,2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to automatic vending machines configuredto accept payment equivalent to the value of products housed inside themachines, and discharge the products to the exterior.

BACKGROUND ART

Such automatic vending machines known to date include the exampledisclosed in Japanese Unexamined Pat. App. Pub. No. 2001-188730. Theautomatic vending machine in this instance is provided with: a productdispensing mechanism that discharges to the exterior products stockedinto the machine beforehand; coin and bill slots (a payment acceptingmechanism) through which monies are inserted; a touch panel fordisplaying various information and via which predetermined informationis entered; and a control device for controlling operation of theproduct dispensing mechanism, and for displaying on the touch panel thevarious information and processing the information entered through thepanel.

When the monies inserted through the coin and bill slots equal or exceeda fixed amount, the control device successively executes: a process ofdisplaying a product selection screen on the panel; a process ofrecognizing, from the data entered by a purchaser viewing the productselection screen, which item has been selected, to permit the productdispensing mechanism to deliver a corresponding item to the exterior; aprocess, after the article has been delivered, of presenting, based onthe various information displayed on the panel and based on theinformation entered through the panel, for example, a game resembling aslot machine in which designs are matched; and a process of, after thegame ends, checking whether the designs have matched and if they have,once more displaying the product selection screen on the panel, and ofrecognizing from the information entered through the panel which itemhas been selected, to discharge the corresponding item to the exteriorby means of the product dispensing mechanism.

The automatic vending machine thus configured is designed to create anincrease in the number of users of the vending machine so as to lead togrowth in sales, not merely by selling the items, but by allowingpurchasers of the items to enjoy the design-matching game, andadditionally providing an item as a giveaway at no charge when in thegame a purchaser has matched up the designs.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Pat. App. Pub. No. H06-60256

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problem Invention is to Solve

With above conventional automatic vending machines, however, the gamesto be provided are so-called video games, which are, depending on whatkind of games are provided, less-than-attractive for some purchasers(particularly females and little children) who are not interested insuch games. That is to say, these games are likely to fail to encouragesome purchasers, who have no interest in the games, to buy the itemsfrom the vending machines. Additionally, most games are commonplace,which also has been responsible for failure to attract purchasers'attention.

An object of the present invention, brought about in view of thecircumstance described above, is to make available an automatic vendingmachine that offers services that have not existed to date, so as todraw purchasers' interest to lead to growth in product sales.

Means for Resolving the Problem

The present invention for resolving the problems involves an automaticvending machine having a vending machine main unit, a play deviceprovided with a riding portion on which a person rides and with a drivemechanism that drives the riding portion, and a control means thatcontrols the actuations of the vending machine main unit and playdevice, with the vending machine main unit and the play device beingconnected with each other via the control means, the automatic vendingmachine characterized in that the vending machine main unit is providedwith a product dispensing mechanism that delivers an item previouslystored interiorly to the outside and a payment accepting mechanism thataccepts a payment for the item, the control means that checks whether ornot the accepted payment is equal to a price of the item, from thepayment accepted by the payment accepting mechanism, and whendetermining that the price has been paid, activates the productdispensing mechanism so as to deliver the item to the outside, as wellas activate the drive mechanism.

According to the present invention, when the payment from a purchaser isaccepted by the payment accepting mechanism in the vending machine mainunit, the control means checks whether or not the payment accepted bythe payment accepting mechanism is equal to the price of the item,first. Subsequently, the control means activates the product dispensingmechanism so that the items is delivered to the outside, as well asactivates the drive mechanism in the play device, when determining thatthe price of the item has been paid.

It will be appreciated that in place of the play device, to the vendingmachine main unit may be connected: a massage device provided with amassage mechanism; a gas supply unit provided with a discharge mechanismfor discharging a gas; an exercise device provided with a operationalmechanism that allows people to exercise; an examination device providedwith an assaying mechanism that assesses a person's condition; anindicator system provided with a display mechanism section that allows aperson to look through a peephole at what is displayed; and an audiooutput device provided with an audio output mechanism section that playsa speech and sound for a person who is in a position where the speechand sound are heard.

Examples of the massage device include the one that massages purchaser'sshoulders, neck, legs, back, and total body, examples of the gas supplyunit include the one that discharges fragrance ingredient-containing airto allow the purchaser to smell it, and the one that discharges negativeion-containing air to allow the purchaser to take it in, examples of theexercise device include the one that gives the purchaser running andwalking, examples of the examination device include the one thatprovides the purchaser with physical checkup (for example, bloodpressure, pulse, weight and body fat percentage) and with mouth odorcheckup, examples of the indicator system include the one that indicatesa variety of images (information such as fortune telling, weatherforecast, news relating to current events, stock, and currency exchange,scenery, animation, drama, movie, video game), the one that operates asappropriate a structure (such as a doll) to let the purchaser see itthrough the peephole, and the one that attempts purchaser's eyesightrecovery and eyestrain relief by bringing away and closer (back andforth) an image and object that the purchaser see through the peepholeto force purchaser's ciliary bodies that adjust a focus point dependingon the distance to the image to repeat construction and relaxation,examples of the audio output device include the one that outputs avariety of speeches and sounds, such as music, from headphones providedin a position where the speeches and sounds are heard, speakers providedfacing each other at an fixed interval from the ears of a person who isin the speech and sound hearing position, and speakers outputtingdirectionally the speeches and sounds so as to be heard only by theperson in the speech and sound hearing position.

Additionally, the play device, massage device, gas supply unit, exercisedevice, examination device, indicating system, and audio output devicemay be provided separately from, or integrally with, the vending machinemain unit. Furthermore, which of the play device, massage device, gassupply unit, exercise device, examination device, indicating system andaudio output device is connected to the vending machine main unit ispreferably changed, depending on where the automatic vending machine isplaced, or what kind of item is sold by the automatic vending machine.

As just described, if purchasers buy an item from the automatic vendingmachine, they can use the massage device, gas supply unit, exercisedevice, examination device, indicating system and audio output device,as a service for purchase of the item.

According to the automatic vending machine involving the presentinvention, making available to purchasers who have bought an item fromthe automatic vending machine the play device, massage device, gassupply unit, exercise device, examination device, indicating system andaudio output device, which are nonexistent in conventional automaticvending machines, makes the automatic vending machine seem novel,compared with the conventional ones, to draw the interest of thepurchasers so as to buy an items from the automatic vending machine tolead to growth in sales. Furthermore, the interest of a wide range ofpurchasers can be drawn, regardless of their age and gender, to plan topromote use of the automatic vending machine.

It should be understood that the payment accepting mechanism may beprovided to the play device, massage device, gas supply unit, exercisedevice, examination device, indicating system and audio output device,not to the automatic vending machine. Although the payment acceptingmechanism is usually disposed on the upper part of the automatic vendingmachine, such a payment accepting mechanism position is sometimesprohibitive of short children' use of the automatic vending machine.Thus, providing the payment accepting mechanism to the play device forlittle children, massage device, gas supply unit exercise device,examination device, indicating system and audio output device lowers theposition where the payment accepting mechanism is disposed, making theautomatic vending machine usable for the little children.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

As described above, according to the automatic vending machine involvingthe present invention, connecting the vending machine main unit to theplay device, massage device, gas supply unit, exercise device,examination device, indicating system and audio output unit makes theautomatic vending machine seem novel, compared with the conventionalautomatic vending machines having video game function, and draws theinterest of a wide range of purchasers to lead to growth in sales of theitem. Moreover, if the payment accepting mechanism is provided to theplay device, massage device, gas supply unit, exercise device,examination device, indicating system and audio output device, theautomatic vending machine can be made more usable for little children.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outlined configuration ofan automatic vending machine involving a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the automatic vending machineillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram representing an outlined configuration of theautomatic vending machine involving a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an outlined configuration of acontrol panel involving a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating an outlined configuration of thecontrol panel involving a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram representing an outlined configuration of theautomatic vending machine involving a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an outlined configuration ofthe automatic vending machine involving a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram representing the automatic vending machineillustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram representing an outlined configuration of theautomatic vending machine involving a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram representing an outlined configuration of theautomatic vending machine involving an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating an outlined configuration of aconnecting mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating the connecting mechanism in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating an outlined configuration of theconnecting mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating the connecting mechanism in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating an example of a massage device.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a gas supplyunit.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an exercisedevice.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an examinationdevice.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustration another example of theexamination device.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an indicatingsystem and an audio output device.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating another example of theindicating system.

Legend

1: play device; 10: vending machine main unit; 10 a: feet; 11: displaycompartment; 12: item selecting mechanism; 12 a: item selecting buttons;12 b: selected product detection unit; 13: payment accepting mechanism;13 a: coin slot; 13 b: bill slot; 13 c: amount credited detection unit;14: product dispensing mechanism: 14 a: open compartment; 17: controlmeans; 18: device selecting mechanism; 18 a: device selecting buttons;18 b: selected device detection unit; 18: door; 20: play device; 21:stuffed toy; 22: figure part; 23: attachment part; 24: drive mechanism:25: base board; 26: moving board

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A specified embodiment of the present invention is explained hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview illustrating an outlined configuration of an automatic vendingmachine involving a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.2 is a block diagram of the automatic vending machine illustrated inFIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an automatic vending machine 1 ofthis embodiment is configured with a vending machine main unit 10, aplay device 20, and a control means 17 built into the vending machinemain unit 10 to control actuations of the automatic vending machine 10and play device 20, and is placed in, for example, a playroom in adepartment stores and a supermarket.

The vending machine main unit 10 is provided with, in addition to thecontrol means 17, a display compartment 11 formed in upper part on thefront face of the automatic vending machine 10, and in which a pluralityof commercial samples of items that are preciously stocked interiorly isdisplayed, with an item selecting mechanism 12 for allowing selection ofa desired item from those displayed in the display compartment 11, witha payment accepting mechanism 13 for accepting the payment for each ofthe items, and with a product dispensing mechanism 14 that delivers tothe outside the items previously stocked interiorly, and feet 10 a areinstalled to the four corners of the under face of the vending machinemain unit 10. It is assumed that all the items are determined at thesame price.

The item selecting mechanism 12 is configured with a plurality of itemselecting buttons 12 a provided below the display compartment 11 in aone-to-one correspondence with the items displayed in the displaycompartment 11, and a selected product detection unit 12 b that detectswhich of the item selecting buttons 12 a has been pushed, and sends tothe control means 17 data on that of the item selecting buttons 12 ahaving been pushed. The payment accepting mechanism 13 is configuredwith a coin slot 13 a and bill slot 13 b that are provided below theitem selecting buttons 12 a, and into which coins and bills areinserted, and with an amount credited detection unit 13 c that detectsthe amount of the coins and bills inserted from the coin slot 13 a andbill slot 13 b to send to the control means 17 data on the detectedamount. The product dispensing mechanism 14, which is provided with anopen compartment 14 a that is formed in a lower part on the front of thevending machine main unit 10, and out of which the items are taken, andwith the product dispensing mechanism 14, is configured to deliver theitems to this open compartment 14 a.

Furthermore, in the vending machine main unit 10, a display 15 that isprovided below the item selecting buttons 12 a, and on which the totalamount of the bills and coins inserted from the coin slot 13 a and billslot 13 b is indicated, a coin return compartment 16 that is provided inlower part on the front face of the vending machine main unit 10, andout of which change is taken, and a door 19 that pivots horizontally toopen outwards, and that an operator opens mainly when putting the itemsinside the vending machine main unit 10 are formed.

The control means 17 starts a series of the following processes, whenthe data on the amount of money is sent from the amount crediteddetection unit 13 c—that is, when coins are dropped into the coin slot13 a, or when bills are inserted into the bill slot 13 b.

Specifically, the control means 17 is configured to successively executea first process of calculating, based on the money amount-related datasent from the amount credited detection unit 13 c, the total amount ofthe coins and bills inserted from the coin slot 13 a and bill slot 13 bto indicate the calculated total amount on the display 15, as well ascheck whether or not the calculated total amount equals or exceeds afixed amount (price of the items), a second process of, when thecalculated amount is determined to do so, recognizing from the data,sent from the selected product detection unit 12 b, involving the itemselecting buttons 12 a, which of the items has been selected (which ofthe items is to be delivered), to allow the product dispensing mechanism14 to deliver the corresponding item into the open compartment 14 a, aswell as compute a change, based on the calculated total amount and aprice of the corresponding item, to deliver the change, if it isactually computed, into the coin return compartment 16, and a thirdprocess of activating the play device 20 for a fixed period of time.

The play device 20 is configured with a stuffed toy 21 on which apurchaser rides, and a drive mechanism 24 that drives the stuffed toy21.

The drive mechanism 24 is configured with a base board 25, and a movingboard 26 connected to the base board 25 to perform a rocking operationalong the arrow A-B (back and forth) and a rotating operation along thearrow C-D (the direction of horizontal rotation) on an (not-illustrated)actuator, whose actuation is controlled by the control means 17. On theother hand, the stuffed toy 21 is configured with a figure part 22modeled on an animal, and a sack-like attachment part 23 connected tothe figure part 22 and attached to the drive mechanism 24 to cover it.

With this play device 20, a purchaser can straddle the stuffed toy 21that rocks along the arrow A-B and rotates along the arrow C-D to enjoyan amusement in which the sensation of riding on an animal isexperienced.

According to the automatic vending machine as described above in thisembodiment, if coins and bills (money) are inserted by a purchaser intothe coin slot 13 a and bill slot 13 b, how much coins and bills areinserted is detected by the amount credited detection unit 13 c, and thedata involving the detected amount of money is sent from the amountcredited detection unit 13 c to the control means 17.

In the control means 17, the total amount of the inserted coins andbills is calculated, based on the received data involving the amount ofmoney, and the calculated total amount of money is indicated on thedisplay 15, as well as whether or not the calculated total amount ofmoney equals or exceeds a fixed amount (the price of the items) ischecked.

If the calculated total amount of money equals or exceeds the fixedamount, which of the item selecting buttons 12 a has been pushed isdetected by the selected product detection unit 12 b after a purchaserpushes that of the item selecting buttons 12 a corresponding to adesired item, and the data involving that of the item selecting buttons12 a having been detected is sent to the control means 17. Then, whichof the items has been selected (an item to be delivered) is recognizedby the control means 17, based on the received data involving the itemselecting buttons 12 a, and the corresponding item is delivered into theopen compartment 14 a by the item dispensing mechanism 14.

After that, the purchaser takes the item out of the open compartment 14a to get the item. Additionally, because the drive mechanism 24 for theplay device 20 is driven by the control means 17 for a fixed period oftime, the purchaser can play straddling the stuffed toy 21 rocking alongthe arrow A-B and rotating along the arrow C-D.

As just described, because the play device 20, which has beennonexistent in conventional automatic vending machines, is madeavailable to purchasers who buy items from the automatic vending machine1, the automatic vending machine 1 appears novel, compared with theconventional automatic vending machines. Therefore, the automaticvending machine 1 of this embodiment interests the purchasers so as tobuy the items from the automatic vending machine 1 to lead to growth insales of the items. Furthermore, the interest of little children andparents with them is drawn more strongly, so that promoting use of theautomatic vending machine 1 can be attempted.

While one embodiment of the present invention has been explained in theforegoing, specific modes by which the present invention can be adoptedare not in any way limited to the above example.

Although the item selecting mechanism 12, payment accepting mechanism13, display 15, coin return compartment 16 and control means 17 areprovided to the vending machine main unit 10 in above example, to whichthey are provided is not limited to the vending machine main unit 10, sothey may be provided to the play device 20 to configure an automaticvending machine 2, as illustrated in FIG. 3 through FIG. 5. Furthermore,FIG. 3 is a block diagram representing an outlined configuration of theautomatic vending machine involving a second embodiment, FIG. 4 is afront view illustrating an outlined configuration of a control panelinvolving the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a front view illustratingan outlined configuration of the control panel involving the secondembodiment.

In such a configuration, the play device 20 is provided with a controlpanel 27 as illustrated in FIG. 4, disposed near the play device 20, andincluding the item selecting mechanism 12, payment accepting mechanism13, display 15, coin return compartment 16 and control means 17, or witha control panel 28 as illustrated in FIG. 5, mounted to the stuffed toy21, and including the item selecting mechanism 12, payment acceptingmechanism 13, display 15, coin return compartment 16 and control means17.

And, the control panels 27, 28 are provided with the coin slot 13 a andbill slot 13 b of the payment accepting mechanism 13, and the display 15in upper part of the control panels 27, 28, with the plurality of itemselecting buttons 12 a below the coin slot 13 a, bill slot 13 b anddisplay 15, and with the coin return compartment 16 in lower part of thecontrol panels 27, 28.

The height of the control panel 27 is shortened in accordance with theheight of little children so that even little children can effortlesslyinsert coins and bills into the coin slot 13 a and bill slot 13 b, andpush the item selecting buttons 12 a. Additionally, the control panel 28is adjusted in level at where it is mounted to the stuffed toy 21 sothat little children can effortlessly insert coins and bills into thecoin slot 13 a and bill slot 13 b, and push the item selecting buttons12 a, before mounted to the stuffed toy 21.

The automatic vending machine 2 configured in this manner brings notonly the advantage as above but also the following another advantage.That is to say, although in the vending machine main unit 10 asillustrate in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the coin slot 13 a, bill slot 13 b anditem selecting buttons 12 a are provided in a position in the upper partof the vending machine main unit 10, such a position is sometimes toohigh for short children to insert coins and bills and to push the itemselecting buttons 12 a. Providing the item selecting mechanism 12,payment accepting mechanism 13, display 15 and coin return compartment16 to the play device 20, however, lowers the positions of the coin slot13 a, bill slot 13 b and item selecting buttons 12 a, compared withtheir positions in the vending machine main unit 10, making theautomatic vending machine 2 more usable for the little children.

Furthermore, the control means 17 may be provided to the vending machinemain unit 10, with the item selecting mechanism 12, payment acceptingmechanism 13, display 15 and coin return compartment 16 provided to theplay device 20, or the item selecting mechanism 12, payment acceptingmechanism 13, display 15 and coin return compartment 16 may be providedto the vending machine main unit 10, with the control means 17 providedto the play device 20, though such configurations are not illustrated inparticular.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the item selecting mechanism 12,payment accepting mechanism 13, display 15, coin return compartment 16and control means 17 can be provided to both the vending machine mainunit 10 and play device 20. In such a configuration, in either ofvending machine main unit 10 and play device 20, coins and bills can beinserted into the coin slot 13 a and bill slot 13 b, and the itemselecting buttons 12 a can be pushed. Therefore, it is made possible tohave adults use the coin slot 13 a, bill slot 13 b and item selectingbuttons 12 a in the vending machine main unit 10, and children can usethem in the play device 20, so that usability of the automatic vendingmachine is improved.

Furthermore, as illustrate in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a plurality of playdevices 20 (two play devices 20A, 20B in the illustrated example) can beconnected to the vending machine main unit 10 to configure an automaticvending machine 5. It is to be noted that the play devices 20 areconfigured so that the stuffed toys 21 have different figures, and therest is same. Furthermore, FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating anoutlined configuration of the automatic vending machine involving thesecond embodiment of the preset invention, and FIG. 8 is a block diagramrepresenting the automatic vending machine illustrated in FIG. 7.

In such a configuration, the vending machine main unit 10 is furtherprovided with a device selecting mechanism 18 for selecting which of theplay devices 20 is activated, and the device selecting mechanism 18 isconfigured with device selecting buttons 18 a provided below the coinslot 13 a, bill slot 13 b and display 15 in one-to-one correspondencewith the play devices 20, and a selected device detection unit 18 b thatdetects which of the device selecting buttons 18 a has been pushed andsends to the control means 17 data involving that of the deviceselecting buttons 18 a having been detected.

In order to execute the third process, the control means 17 recognizesthat of the play devices 20 having been selected (that of the playdevices 20 to be activated), based on data sent from the selected devicedetection unit 18 b, and involving the device selecting buttons 18 a, toactivate for a fixed period of time the drive mechanism 24 for that ofthe play devices 20 selected.

According to the automatic vending machine 5 in this configuration,after a purchaser pushes the item selecting buttons 12 a, and thecorresponding item is delivered to the open compartment 14 a by theproduct dispensing mechanism 14, the purchaser pushes that of the deviceselecting buttons 18 a representing that of the play devices on whichthe purchaser wants to ride, and then which of the device selectingbuttons 18 a has been pushed is detected by the selected devicedetection unit 18 b, and the data involving that of the device selectingbuttons 18 a having been detected is sent to the control means 17.Subsequently, in the control means 17, that of the play devices 20having been selected is recognized, based on the received data involvingthe device selecting buttons 18 a, and the selected play device 20 isactivated for the fixed period of time.

Consequently, if the automatic vending machine 5 is configured as justdescribed, purchasers can select a desired one from the plurality of theplay devices 20 to activate it, so that the automatic vending machine 5can be made more suitable to the purchasers' various tastes and likingsto draw their interest.

Moreover, also in such an automatic vending machine 5, as in theautomatic vending machine 2, the item selecting mechanism 12, paymentaccepting mechanism 13, display 15, coin return compartment 16, controlmeans 17 and device selecting mechanism 18 are provided to either of theplay devices 20 (to the play device 20A in the illustrated example) toconfigure an automatic vending machine 6, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Inaddition, although not illustrated particularly, the item selectingmechanism 12, payment accepting mechanism 13, display 15, coin returncompartment 16, control means 17 and device selecting mechanism 18 areprovided to the control panel 27 as illustrated in FIG. 4, or to thecontrol panel 28 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Furthermore, FIG. 9 is ablock diagram representing an outlined configuration of the automaticvending machine involving the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

Furthermore, although not illustrated in particular, the control means17 may be provided to the vending machine main unit 10, with the itemselecting mechanism 12, payment accepting mechanism 13, display 15, coinreturn compartment 16 and device selecting mechanism 18 provided toeither of the play devices 20, and additionally, the item selectingmechanism 12, payment accepting mechanism 13, display 15, coin returncompartment 16, and device selecting mechanism 18 may be provided to thevending machine main unit 10, with the control means 17 provided toeither of the play devices 20. Also as illustrated in FIG. 10, the itemselecting mechanism 12, payment accepting mechanism 13, display 15, coinreturn compartment 16, control means 17 and device selecting mechanism18 can be provided to both the vending machine main unit 10 and eitherof the play devices 20.

Also feasible is a configuration in which the item selecting mechanism12, payment accepting mechanism 13, display 15, coin return compartment16, control means 17 and device selecting mechanism 18 are provided toboth the play devices 20, not to only the play device 20A.

Furthermore, the vending machine main unit 10 and play device 20 may beconnected with each other by a connecting mechanism 35, which isconfigured, as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, with an installationboard 36, to the under face of which four feet 36 a and castors 36 b areprovided, and on the top face of which the play device 20 is placed andanchored, and with a connecting member 37, first end of which isinserted into a space defined by the feet 10 a of the vending machinemain unit 10 between the vending machine main unit 10 and aninstallation surface S to be mounted to the under face of the vendingmachine main unit 10 so as to freely swing along the arrow, and a secondend of which is affixed to the installation board 36.

The installation board 36 is formed so that its top face is lower thanthe under face of the door 19 of the vending machine main unit 10, andusually is placed in front of the vending machine main unit 10.Furthermore, the vertical length of the feet 36 a is adjustable, and isusually adjusted so that the castors 36 b are floated.

Moreover, the installation board 36 is configured to be retracted into aposition opposite to an orientation in which, and out of a moving pathin which, the door 19 opens, by pivoting the casters 36 b about thefirst end of the connecting member 37 after the length of the feet 36 ais adjusted so that the castors 36 b abut on the installation surface S.

In order to connect the vending machine main unit 10 and the play device20 with each other, however, if they are connected by, for example,placing them separately to connect them just with a connecting cable,there is a risk that the connecting cable is cut, and the play device 20(a device connected to the vending machine main unit 10) is stolen.

Therefore, mounting the play device 20 via the connecting mechanism 35to the vending machine main unit 10 eliminates such a problemeffectively.

It should be understood that a first end of the connecting member 37,which is not necessarily mounted to the under face of the vendingmachine main unit 10 so as to freely swing, may be affixed not to pivot.In this case, however, the installation board 36 needs to be placed atthe retracting position.

Furthermore, the connecting mechanism 35 may be configured as aconnecting mechanism 40 as illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. Theconnecting mechanism 40 is configured with an installation board 41, onunder face of which four feet 41 a and castors 41 b are provided, and ontop face of which the play device 20 is placed and anchored, with anengaging member 42 having an engaging hole 42 a passing through theengaging member 42 from the front of, to the back of, the vendingmachine main unit 10, and affixed to the under face of the vendingmachine main unit 10, and with a guide member 43 engaged to the engaginghole 42 a of the engaging member 42 movably along the arrow, and a firstend of which is affixed to the installation board 41.

The installation board 41 is formed so that its top face is lower thanthe under face of the door 19, and is placed in the front of the vendingmachine main unit 10. Furthermore, the feet 41 a are configured to beadjustable in vertical lengths, and are usually adjusted so that thecasters 41 b are floated.

Additionally, the installation board 41 is configured to be guided bythe engaging member 42 and guide member 43 due to their engagingrelationship so as to move along the arrow to retract to a position outof a moving path in which the door 19 opens, after the lengths of thefeet 41 a are adjusted so that the castors 41 b abut on the installationsurface S. Therefore, such a configuration of the connecting mechanism40 brings the same advantage as described above.

Moreover, although the play device 20 has been explained in theforegoing as an example of devices connected to the vending machine mainunit 10, for example, a massage device 50 as illustrated in FIG. 15, agas supply unit 55 as illustrated in FIG. 16, a fitness machine (anexercise device) 75 as illustrated in FIG. 17, a health checkup device85 as illustrated in FIG. 18, a mouth odor examination device 90 asillustrated in FIG. 19, an audiovisual device (indicating system andaudio output device) 95 as illustrated in FIG. 20, and a visual recoverydevice (indicating system) 80 as illustrated in FIG. 21 can be connectedto the vending machine main unit 10 in addition to the play device 20.

The massage device 50 illustrated in FIG. 15, which is configured with abase board 51 on which a purchaser K rides, with a backrest 52 mountedto the base board 51, and against which the purchaser leans, and with a(not-illustrated) massage mechanism built in the base board 51 andbackrest 52 to massage the purchaser K, and whose actuation iscontrolled by the control means 17, massages the legs and back of thepurchaser K. It should be understood that the massage device 50 may beconfigured to massage the shoulders, neck and total body of thepurchaser K.

Moreover, the gas supply unit 55 illustrated in FIG. 16 is configuredwith a cup-shaped breathing member 56, with a connecting line 57, with afirst end of which is connected to the breathing member 56, with adischarge mechanism, to which a second end of the connecting line 57 isconnected, and whose actuation is controlled by the control means 17,for discharging a predetermined gas from the breathing member 56 to theoutside. The discharge mechanism 58 is externally formed rectangular,and is disposed on the top face of the vending machine main unit 10. Thebreathing member 56 is disposed in front of the vending machine mainunit 10.

Furthermore, the discharge mechanism 58 is configured to discharge anoxygen gas from the breathing member 56 to allow the purchaser K tobreathe in and intake the oxygen gas, to discharge the air containingnegative ion from the breathing member 56 to breathe in and intake thenegative ion, or to discharge the air containing ingredients of a scentfrom the breathing member 56 to allow the purchaser K to inhale thescent. Breathing in oxygen gas is effective in improving metabolism andin prompting decomposition of lactic acid produced during exercise toattempt relieving fatigue, breathing in negative ion is effective inimproving metabolism, and inhaling scent is effective in relaxing thepurchaser K, like aromatherapy, as well as enjoying the scent.

It should be understood that the connecting line 57 may be configured sothat a level at where the breathing member 56 is disposed can beadjusted, and the control means 17 may be configured to discharge fromthe discharge mechanism 58 the air containing ingredients of a scent thepurchaser K has selected as appropriate, and the air containingingredients of a scent associated with an item the purchaser K buys, orto give to the purchaser K a notice of ingredients of a scent associatedwith the item article the purchaser K has bought.

The exercise device 75 illustrated in FIG. 17 is provided with anoperational mechanism 78 including a ring-like belt 76 on which thepurchaser rides, with a housing 77 holding the belt 76 rotatably, andwith a (not-illustrated) drive mechanism built in the housing 77, forrotating the belt 76 at a predetermined speed, and with an operationdevice 79 mounted to the housing 77, for controlling the actuation of a(not-illustrated) drive mechanism under the control pf the control means17, and the exercise device 75 is configured to allow the purchaser torun and walk at a rotating speed of the belt 76. It should be understoodthat the exercise device 75 may be configured to be foldable so as to beleaned against, for example, a lateral side of the vending machine mainunit 10 after folded.

Furthermore, the health checkup device 85 illustrated in FIG. 18 isprovided with a weight assaying mechanism section 86 that measuresweight and body fat percentage, a pulse assaying mechanism section 87that measures pulse, a blood-pressure checking mechanism 88 thatmeasures blood-pressure, and a (not-illustrated) output unit thatdisplays on screen, and prints out, measurement results in themechanisms 86, 87, 88, and is configured so that the weight assayingmechanism section 86 is provided on the under face of the vendingmachine main unit 10 to be able to be pulled out, and the pulse assayingmechanism section 87 and blood-pressure checking mechanism 88 areprovided on a lateral side of the vending machine main unit 10. When thepurchaser K rides on the weight measuring checking mechanism 86 pulledout to front of the vending machine main unit 10, the weight and bodyfat percentage of the purchaser K are measured, when the purchaser Kgrasps the pulse assaying mechanism section 87, pulse of the purchaser Kis measured, and when the purchaser K inserts an arm into the hole inthe blood-pressure checking mechanism 88, the blood-pressure of thepurchaser K is measured.

It should be understood that the health checkup device 85 may beconfigured to judge fatigue level and physical condition from theobtained measurement result, and to display on screen, and print out,the judgment, not just to allow the (not-illustrated) output unit todisplay on screen, and to print out the measurement result in themechanisms 86, 87, 88. Furthermore, the assaying mechanism sections 86,87, 88 are controlled in activation by the control means 17. Inaddition, the weight assaying mechanism section 86 may be configured tobe pulled out by hand toward front of the vending machine main unit 10,or configured to be pulled out by a drive unit as appropriate towardfront of the vending machine main unit 10.

The mouth odor examination device 90 illustrated in FIG. 19 is providedwith a cup-shaped breath introduction member 91, a connecting line 92, afirst end of which is connected to the breath introduction member 91,and a mouth odor assaying mechanism section 93, to which a second end ofthe connecting line 92 is connected, and whose actuation is controlledby the control means 17 to measure the mouth odor. If the purchaser Kbreathes out into the breath introduction member 91, the exhaled breathis introduced from the breath introduction member 91 into the mouth odorassaying mechanism section 93, and mouth odor is measured by the mouthodor assaying mechanism section 93. Furthermore, the mouth odor assayingmechanism section 93 is externally formed rectangle, and disposed on thetop face of the vending machine main unit 10. The breath introductionmember 91 is disposed in front of the vending machine main unit 10.Moreover, the connecting line 92 may be configured so that a level atwhere the breath introduction member 91 is disposed can be adjusted. Inaddition, the mouth odor measurement device 90 may be configured todetect and measure alcohol contained in the breath.

The audiovisual device 95 illustrated in FIG. 20 is configured with adisplay mechanism section 96 including a display 97 on which a screen isindicated, an (not-illustrated) image reproducer 97 that indicates onthe display 97 a screen of various images (for example, information suchas fortune-telling, weather report, and news relating to current events,stock and currency exchange, scenery, animation, drama, movie and videogame), and a rectangular accommodating member 98, in the center on thefront face of which a peephole 98 a is formed, and in which the display97, (not-illustrated) image reproducer and a (not-illustrated) soundreproducing section to be described hereinafter are accommodated, withan audio output mechanism section 100 including two holding arms 101,first ends of which are connected to the lateral sides of theaccommodating member 98, speakers 102 provided face to face to secondends of the holding arms 101 at an fixed interval from the ears of thepurchaser K, for outputting speech and sound, and a (not-illustrated)sound reproducer that outputs from the speakers 102 various sounds (forexample, relaxing music and the speech and sound corresponding to theimages) under the control of the control means 17, with input buttons 99provided on the front face of the accommodating member 98, for enteringan input signal via the control means 17 to an (not-illustrated) imagereproducer and to a (not-illustrated) audio reproducing section, andwith a connecting arm 103, first end of which is anchored to the topface of the vending machine main unit 10 pivotally along the arrow.Following screens indicated on the display 97, the purchaser K pushesthe input buttons 99 brought into correspondence with a desired imageand sound to look through the peephole 98 a at the images and to listenthe sound with the speakers 102.

Furthermore, the accommodating member 98 is configured to be placed in aposition where the display compartment 11 is not hiding behind theaccommodating member 98 during the pivoting of the connecting arm 103,except when the purchaser K views the image, and listens the speech andsound, and to be moved to front of the vending machine main unit 10 bythe purchaser K and a drive unit as appropriate, when the purchaser Kviews the image, and listens the sound. Moreover, the connecting arm 103may be configured so that a level at where the accommodating member 98is disposed can be adjusted. Additionally, the audiovisual device 95 maybe configured to indicate or output the image and sound provided online.Alternatively, the display mechanism section 96 may be configured tooperate a structure (for example, a doll) as appropriate to allow thepurchaser K to look through the peephole 98 a at the movement of thestructure, not to play video on the display 97. Furthermore, a soundlisting position, which is defined in front of the accommodating member98, is a position where the purchaser K looks through the peephole 98 aat the image, and listens the speech and sound with the speakers 102. Inaddition, the audio output mechanism section 100 may be provided withheadphones disposed in front of the accommodating member 98 and speakersthat directionally outputs sound toward the sound listening position, inplace of the holding arms 101 and speakers 102, and be configured toallow only the purchaser K who is in the sound listening position tolisten the speech and sound through the headphones and speakers.

With such an audiovisual device 95, only the purchaser K is allowed toview what is indicated (video and structure movement) because of thepeephole 98 a, and disposing the speakers 102 close to the ears of thepurchaser K allows only the purchaser K to listen the speech and sound,to prevent the others from watching and listening, so that the value ofthe services for the purchases of the items is enhanced to increase thenumber of users, compared with an automatic vending machine providedwith a display mechanism without the peephole 98 a and an audio outputmechanism section without the speakers 102. In addition, if what isprovided by the audiovisual device 95 is fortune telling, an advantageof preventing other persons from watching and listening thefortune-telling pronouncement is obtained.

The visual recovery device 80 illustrated in FIG. 21 is provided with adisplay mechanism section 81 allowing the purchaser K to look throughthe peephole 81 a at an image and object to be indicated and bringingthem far away and closer (back and forth), and with a connecting arm 82,a first end of which is connected to the display mechanism section 81 tohold it, and a second end of which is mounted to the top face of thevending machine main unit 10 pivotally along the arrow. The purchaser Klooks through the peephole 81 a at the inside of the display mechanismsection 81 to watch the image and object brought far away and closer. Asa result, ciliary bodies that adjusts a focal point depending on thedistance from the what is indicated is repeatedly constricted andrelaxed so as to be trained to attempt restoring vision and relievingfatigue.

As just described, although in the automatic vending machine 1, 2, 5, 6of this embodiment, the play device 20, massage device 50, gas supplyunit 55, fitness machine 75, health checkup device 85, mouth odorexamination device 90, audiovisual device 95 and visual recovery device80 are connectable to the vending machine main unit 10, what isconnected to the vending machine main unit 10 is preferably changed asappropriate, depending on where the automatic vending machine 1, 2, 5, 6are placed and what is sold with them. If do so, the interest ofpurchasers is drown more strongly to lead to growth in sales of theitems with the automatic vending machine 1, 2, 5, 6.

Furthermore, in order to connect a plurality of devices to the vendingmachine main unit 10, the same type of devices may be connected, and ifa different type of devices, for example, play device 20, massage device50, gas supply unit 55, fitness machine 75, health checkup device 85,mouth odor examination device 90, audiovisual device 95 and visualrecovery device 80 are combined to be connected to the vending machinemain unit 10, the interest of a wide range of purchasers is drawn,regardless of age and gender to further prompt use of the automaticvending machine 1, 2, 5, 6.

With regard to when the play device 20, massage device 50, gas supplyunit 55, fitness machine 75, health checkup device 85, mouth odorexamination device 90, audiovisual device 95 and visual recovery device80 are actuated, they may be actuated at the same time with when theproduct dispensing mechanism 14 delivers the items, or may be actuatedafter a fixed period of time from when the items are delivered by theproduct dispensing mechanism 14.

Also feasible is a configuration in which the play device 20, massagedevice 50, gas supply unit 55, fitness machine 75, health checkup device85, mouth odor examination device 90, audiovisual device 95 and visualrecovery device 80 are provided with an actuation button as appropriate,and the control means 17 activates them after receiving an input signalfrom the actuation button. In such a configuration, the devices areactivated after the purchaser is prepared for it, so that they aresafely activated. Additionally, the devices' functions are employedfully from start to end.

Furthermore, the aspect of providing the play device 20, massage device50, gas supply unit 55, fitness machine 75, health checkup device 85,mouth odor examination device 90, audiovisual device 95 and visualrecovery device 80 is not limited to above examples, so they areprovided integrally with, and separately from, the vending machine mainunit 10.

As described above, the present invention is suitable to an automaticvending machine that can increase the number of users.

The embodiments and implementations that have been disclosed here areillustrative by nature are should not be regarded as limiting. The scopeof the invention is defined by its claims rather than the foregoingdescription, and should be understood to include the features of theclaims of the invention and equivalents thereof, in addition to allchanges falling within the scope of the claims.

1. An automatic vending machine having a vending machine main unit, adisplay device furnished with a display mechanism section for allowing aperson to look through a peephole at what is displayed, and a controlmeans for controlling operation of the vending machine main unit anddisplay device, the vending machine main unit and the display devicebeing interconnected via the control means, the vending machinecharacterized in that: said vending machine main unit is provided with aproduct dispensing mechanism for delivering exteriorly a product stockedbeforehand inside the main unit, and a payment accepting mechanism foraccepting payment for the product; and said control means is configuredso as to check, based on the payment accepted by said payment acceptingmechanism, whether the accepted payment is equivalent to a value for theproduct and, when having determined acceptance of payment equivalent tothe value of the product, to activate said product dispensing mechanismto discharge the product exteriorly, and meanwhile activate said displaymechanism section.
 2. An automatic vending machine having a vendingmachine main unit, a display device furnished with a display mechanismsection for allowing a person to look through a peephole at what isdisplayed, and a control means for controlling operation of the vendingmachine main unit and display device, the vending machine main unit andthe display device being interconnected via the control means, thevending machine characterized in that: said vending machine main unit isprovided with a product dispensing mechanism for delivering exteriorly aproduct stocked beforehand inside the main unit, and said display deviceis provided with a payment accepting mechanism for accepting payment forthe product; and said control means is configured so as to check, basedon the payment accepted by said payment accepting mechanism, whether theaccepted payment is equivalent to a value for the product and, whenhaving determined acceptance of payment equivalent to the value of theproduct, to activate said product dispensing mechanism to discharge theproduct exteriorly, and meanwhile activate said display mechanismsection.
 3. The automatic vending machine according to claim 1, whichfurther comprises an audio output device furnished with an audio outputmechanism section for playing audio to a person positioned to listen tothe audio.
 4. The automatic vending machine according to claim 2, whichfurther comprises an audio output device furnished with an audio outputmechanism section for playing audio to a person positioned to listen tothe audio.